U.S. patent application number 11/537720 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-06 for methods, systems, and computer program products for providing communications services.
This patent application is currently assigned to BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation. Invention is credited to Jeffrey Cassanova.
Application Number | 20070209054 11/537720 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38472789 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070209054 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cassanova; Jeffrey |
September 6, 2007 |
METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR PROVIDING
COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
Abstract
A method, system, and computer program product for providing
communications services to Internet Protocol-enabled devices
associated with a subscriber are provided. The method includes
creating an account identifying the subscriber, an Internet
Protocol address associated with the Internet Protocol-enabled
device of the subscriber, and a communications service provisioned
for the subscriber. The communications service includes one or more
of a(n): electronic messaging, local video-on-demand, channel-based
content, and Internet-based content. The method also includes
delivering content to the Internet Protocol-enabled devices over a
network based upon the communications service provisioned for the
subscriber.
Inventors: |
Cassanova; Jeffrey; (Villa
Rica, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CANTOR COLBURN LLP - BELLSOUTH
55 GRIFFIN ROAD SOUTH
BLOOMFIELD
CT
06002
US
|
Assignee: |
BellSouth Intellectual Property
Corporation
Wilmington
DE
|
Family ID: |
38472789 |
Appl. No.: |
11/537720 |
Filed: |
October 2, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60722595 |
Sep 30, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/100 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 51/04 20130101;
H04L 67/306 20130101; H04N 21/6402 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101;
H04N 21/6125 20130101; H04N 21/6175 20130101; H04L 51/00 20130101;
H04L 63/10 20130101; H04N 21/64322 20130101; G06Q 10/10
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/100 |
International
Class: |
H04N 7/173 20060101
H04N007/173 |
Claims
1. A method for providing communications services to an Internet
Protocol-enabled device associated with a subscriber, comprising:
creating an account identifying the subscriber, an Internet
Protocol address associated with the Internet Protocol-enabled
device of the subscriber, and a communications service provisioned
for the subscriber, the communications service including at least
one of: electronic messaging, local video-on-demand, channel-based
content, and Internet-based content; and delivering content to the
Internet Protocol-enabled device over a network based upon the
communications service provisioned for the subscriber.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein if the provisioned communications
service is electronic messaging, then the delivering content to the
Internet Protocol-enabled device comprises: receiving an electronic
message including text and a destination address; wherein the
delivering content includes sending the electronic message to the
Internet Protocol-enabled devices based upon the destination
address.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the electronic message includes
an image attachment, the method further comprising: setting a
parameter in forwarding instructions of the electronic message to
reflect the image attachment; removing the image attachment from
the electronic message and storing the image attachment in a
repository; and providing a uniform resource locator for the
repository in the forwarding instructions.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein if the provisioned communications
service is local video on demand, then the delivering content to
the Internet Protocol-enabled device comprises: storing video
content received from the subscriber; and receiving destination
addresses for Internet Protocol-enabled television devices for
other subscribers approved by the subscriber to receive the video
content; wherein the delivering content includes transmitting the
video content to destination addresses for Internet
Protocol-enabled television devices for the other subscribers upon
a request to access the content.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein if the provisioned communications
service is channel-based content, then the delivering content to
the Internet Protocol-enabled device comprises: establishing a
dedicated communications channel for the subscriber; transmitting
the channel-based content to designated subscribers, the designated
subscribers authorized by the subscriber to access the
channel-based content; wherein the delivering content includes
transmitting the channel-based content over the communications
channel.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising storing destination
addresses and authentication information for each of the designated
subscribers in the account.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein if the provisioned communications
service is Internet-based content, then the delivering content to
the Internet Protocol-enabled device comprises: receiving a
selection of Internet-based content sources from the subscriber;
and storing the selection in the account; wherein the delivering
content includes presenting Internet-based content from the
selection to the Internet Protocol-enabled television upon a
request by the subscriber.
8. A system for providing communications services to an Internet
Protocol-enabled device associated with a subscriber, comprising: a
computer processing device; and a communications service features
application executing on the computer processing device, the
communications service features application performing a method,
comprising: creating an account identifying the subscriber, an
Internet Protocol address associated with the Internet
Protocol-enabled device of the subscriber, and a communications
service provisioned for the subscriber, the communications service
including at least one of: electronic messaging, local
video-on-demand, channel-based content, and Internet-based content;
and delivering content to the Internet Protocol-enabled device over
a network based upon the communications service provisioned for the
subscriber.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein if the provisioned communications
service is electronic messaging, then the delivering content to the
Internet Protocol-enabled device comprises: receiving an electronic
message including text and a destination address; wherein the
delivering content includes sending the electronic message to the
Internet Protocol-enabled devices based upon the destination
address.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the electronic message includes
an image attachment, the method further comprising: setting a
parameter in forwarding instructions of the electronic message to
reflect the image attachment; removing the image attachment from
the electronic message and storing the image attachment in a
repository; and providing a uniform resource locator for the
repository in the forwarding instructions.
11. The system of claim 8, wherein if the provisioned
communications service is local video on demand, then the
delivering content to the Internet Protocol-enabled device
comprises: storing video content received from the subscriber; and
receiving destination addresses for Internet Protocol-enabled
television devices for other subscribers approved by the subscriber
to receive the video content; wherein the delivering content
includes transmitting the video content to destination addresses
for Internet Protocol-enabled television devices for the other
subscribers upon a request to access the content.
12. The system of claim 8, wherein if the provisioned
communications service is channel-based content, then the
delivering content to the Internet Protocol-enabled device
comprises: establishing a dedicated communications channel for the
subscriber; transmitting the channel-based content to designated
subscribers, the designated subscribers authorized by the
subscriber to access the channel-based content; wherein the
delivering content includes transmitting the channel-based content
over the communications channel.
13. The system of claim 12, further comprising storing destination
addresses and authentication information for each of the designated
subscribers in the account.
14. The system of claim 8, wherein if the provisioned
communications service is Internet-based content, then the
delivering content to the Internet Protocol-enabled device
comprises: receiving a selection of Internet-based content sources
from the subscriber; and storing the selection in the account;
wherein the delivering content includes presenting Internet-based
content from the selection to the Internet Protocol-enabled
television upon a request by the subscriber.
15. A computer program product for providing communications
services to an Internet Protocol-enabled device associated with a
subscriber, the computer program product including instructions for
causing a computer to implement a method, comprising: creating an
account identifying the subscriber, an Internet Protocol address
associated with the Internet Protocol-enabled device of the
subscriber, and a communications service provisioned for the
subscriber, the communications service including at least one of:
electronic messaging, local video-on-demand, channel-based content,
and Internet-based content; and delivering content to the Internet
Protocol-enabled device over a network based upon the
communications service provisioned for the subscriber.
16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein if the
provisioned communications service is electronic messaging, then
the delivering content to the Internet Protocol-enabled device
comprises: receiving an electronic message including text and a
destination address; wherein the delivering content includes
sending the electronic message to the Internet Protocol-enabled
devices based upon the destination address.
17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the
electronic message includes an image attachment, the method further
comprising: setting a parameter in forwarding instructions of the
electronic message to reflect the image attachment; removing the
image attachment from the electronic message and storing the image
attachment in a repository; and providing a uniform resource
locator for the repository in the forwarding instructions.
18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein if the
provisioned communications service is local video on demand, then
the delivering content to the Internet Protocol-enabled device
comprises: storing video content received from the subscriber; and
receiving destination addresses for Internet Protocol-enabled
television devices for other subscribers approved by the subscriber
to receive the video content; wherein the delivering content
includes transmitting the video content to destination addresses
for Internet Protocol-enabled television devices for the other
subscribers upon a request to access the content.
19. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein if the
provisioned communications service is channel-based content, then
the delivering content to the Internet Protocol-enabled device
comprises: establishing a dedicated communications channel for the
subscriber; transmitting the channel-based content to designated
subscribers, the designated subscribers authorized by the
subscriber to access the channel-based content; wherein the
delivering content includes transmitting the channel-based content
over the communications channel; wherein destination addresses and
authentication information for each of the designated subscribers
in the account are stored.
20. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein if the
provisioned communications service is Internet-based content, then
the delivering content to the Internet Protocol-enabled device
comprises: receiving a selection of Internet-based content sources
from the subscriber; and storing the selection in the account;
wherein the delivering content includes presenting Internet-based
content from the selection to the Internet Protocol-enabled
television upon a request by the subscriber.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/722,595, entitled METHODS, SYSTEMS AND
COMPUTER PROGRAMS FOR PROVIDING INTERNET PROTOCOL TELEVISION
SERVICES, filed on Sep. 30, 2005, the contents of which are
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. This application
is related to commonly assigned U.S. patent application Attorney
Docket No. 060149, entitled METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM
PRODUCTS FOR PROVIDING NETWORK CONVERGENCE OF APPLICATIONS AND
DEVICES, filed on Oct. 2, 2006. This application is also related to
commonly assigned U.S. patent application Attorney Docket No.
060150, entitled METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS
FOR PROVIDING CUSTOMIZED CONTENT, filed On Oct. 2, 2006. This
application is also related to commonly assigned U.S. patent
application Attorney Docket No. 060151, entitled METHODS, SYSTEMS,
AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR IMPLEMENTING NETWORK
VISUALIZATION SERVICES, filed On Oct. 2, 2006. This application is
also related to commonly assigned U.S. patent application Attorney
Docket No. 060152, entitled METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM
PRODUCTS FOR IMPLEMENTING MEDIA CONTENT ANALYSIS, DISTRIBUTION, AND
RE-ALLOCATION SERVICES, filed On Oct. 2, 2006. This application is
also related to commonly assigned U.S. patent application Attorney
Docket No. 060154, entitled METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM
PRODUCTS FOR PROVIDING CALLER IDENTIFICATION SERVICES, filed On
Oct. 2, 2006. This application is also related to commonly assigned
U.S. patent application Attorney Docket No. 060155, entitled
METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR PROVIDING
TARGETED ADVERTISING TO COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES, filed On Oct. 2,
2006. This application is also related to commonly assigned U.S.
patent application Attorney Docket No. 060156, entitled METHODS,
SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR PROVIDING ALERTS AND
NOTIFICATIONS, filed On Oct. 2, 2006. Each of the above
applications is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to communications,
and more particularly, to methods, systems, and computer program
products for providing communications services to Internet
Protocol-enabled communications devices.
[0003] In order to stay competitive, communications service
providers are seeking new ways to enhance customer satisfaction,
over and above the current voice telephony services. Text
messaging, picture messaging, and other services have proven to be
popular additions to existing communications service packages.
Services, such as text messaging, provide convenience, flexibility,
and seamless integration with existing voice services.
[0004] The demand for these value-added services has provided
communications service providers with additional sources of
revenue. As advances in communications technologies continue to be
realized, the need and demand for these and other value-added
services will most likely continue to be exploited by service
providers and their competitors.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Exemplary embodiments include a method for providing
communications services to Internet Protocol-enabled devices
associated with a subscriber. The method includes creating an
account identifying the subscriber, an Internet Protocol address
associated with the Internet Protocol-enabled device of the
subscriber, and a communications service provisioned for the
subscriber. The communications service includes one or more of
a(n): electronic messaging, local video-on-demand, channel-based
content, and Internet-based content. The method also includes
delivering content to the Internet Protocol-enabled devices over a
network based upon the communications service provisioned for the
subscriber.
[0006] Additional exemplary embodiments include a system for
providing communications services to Internet Protocol-enabled
devices associated with a subscriber are provided. The system
includes a computer processing device and a communications service
features application executing on the computer processing device.
The communications service features application implements a
method. The method includes creating an account identifying the
subscriber, an Internet Protocol address associated with the
Internet Protocol-enabled device of the subscriber, and a
communications service provisioned for the subscriber. The
communications service includes one or more of a(n): electronic
messaging, local video-on-demand, channel-based content, and
Internet-based content. The method also includes delivering content
to the Internet Protocol-enabled devices over a network based upon
the communications service provisioned for the subscriber.
[0007] Further exemplary embodiments include a computer program
product for providing communications services to Internet
Protocol-enabled television devices. The computer program product
includes instructions for causing a computer to implement a method.
The method includes creating an account identifying the subscriber,
an Internet Protocol address associated with the Internet
Protocol-enabled device of the subscriber, and a communications
service provisioned for the subscriber. The communications service
includes one or more of a(n): electronic messaging, local
video-on-demand, channel-based content, and Internet-based content.
The method also includes delivering content to the Internet
Protocol-enabled devices over a network based upon the
communications service provisioned for the subscriber.
[0008] Other systems, methods, and/or computer program products
according to embodiments will be or become apparent to one with
skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed
description. It is intended that all such additional systems,
methods, and/or computer program products be included within this
description, be within the scope of the exemplary embodiments, and
be protected by the accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are
numbered alike in the several FIGURES:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network convergence
infrastructure for providing consolidated system services in
accordance with exemplary embodiments;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a block diagram a portion of the network
convergence infrastructure for use in establishing and utilizing a
network convergence service account in accordance with exemplary
embodiments;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram describing a process for
establishing and utilizing a network convergence service account
via the network convergence infrastructure in exemplary
embodiments;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a portion of the network
convergence infrastructure for implementing customized content
services in exemplary embodiments;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram describing a process for
implementing the customized content services in exemplary
embodiments;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a user interface screen depicting a main menu for
use in implementing the customized content services in exemplary
embodiments;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a user interface screen including options for
managing users of the customized content services in exemplary
embodiments;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a user interface screen depicting a sample
personalized electronic programming guide created via the
customized content services in exemplary embodiments;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a portion of the network
convergence infrastructure for implementing targeted advertising
services in exemplary embodiments;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram describing a process for
implementing the targeted advertising services in exemplary
embodiments;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a portion of the network
convergence infrastructure for implementing targeted advertising
services in alternative exemplary embodiments;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a portion of the network
convergence infrastructure for implementing IPTV caller
identification services for calls terminating at a wireline
communications device using a termination attempt trigger in
exemplary embodiments;
[0022] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram describing a process for
implementing the IPTV caller identification services for calls
terminating at a wireline communications device using a termination
attempt trigger in exemplary embodiments;
[0023] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a portion of the network
convergence infrastructure for implementing IPTV caller
identification services for calls terminating at a wireless mobile
communications device using a termination attempt trigger in
exemplary embodiments;
[0024] FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a portion of the network
convergence infrastructure for implementing IPTV caller
identification services in alternative exemplary embodiments;
[0025] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a portion of the network
convergence infrastructure for implementing communications
messaging services in exemplary embodiments;
[0026] FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of a process for implementing the
communications messaging services in exemplary embodiments;
[0027] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a high level view of the
network convergence infrastructure for use in implementing
emergency alerts and notifications, network visualization services,
and neural network services in exemplary embodiments;
[0028] FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a portion of the network
convergence infrastructure for implementing emergency alerts and
notification services in exemplary embodiments;
[0029] FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a portion of the network
convergence infrastructure for implementing network visualization
services in exemplary embodiments;
[0030] FIGS. 21 through 23 are user interface screens depicting
network and media performance data facilitated via the network
visualization services in exemplary embodiments;
[0031] FIG. 24 is a flow diagram describing a process for
implementing the network visualization services in exemplary
embodiments; and
[0032] FIG. 25 is a block diagram of a portion of the network
convergence infrastructure for implementing neural network (media
content analysis, distribution, and re-allocation) services in
exemplary embodiments.
[0033] The detailed description explains the exemplary embodiments,
together with advantages and features, by way of example with
reference to the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0034] Turning now to FIG. 1, a generalized depiction of a network
convergence infrastructure is shown, which provides consolidated
system services to users of communications devices, as well as to
associated business enterprises. The network convergence
infrastructure 102 integrates applications and devices that operate
over multiple types of network systems. The network convergence
infrastructure 102 integrates applications and services provided,
e.g., over circuit-switched networks and packet-switched networks,
such as networks 104 as described further herein. The networks may
utilize various transmission protocols and technologies, such as
Internet Protocol (IP), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), and frame
relay protocols for transmitting data. The network convergence
infrastructure 102 may include a diverse set of network elements,
such as, e.g., hubs, switches, routers, trunks, etc. In addition,
signaling and transmission protocols, such as signaling system 7
(SS7), 802.11, GR1188, TCP/IP, SIP, and others may be implemented
via the network convergence infrastructure 102 as described further
herein.
[0035] The types of services that may be provided via the network
convergence infrastructure 102 include, e.g., customized content
services 106, targeted advertising services 108, caller
identification services 110, communications messaging services 112,
emergency alerts/notification services 114, network visualization
services 116, and neural network services 118. It will be
understood that additional services may be implemented via the
network convergence infrastructure 102, including, e.g.,
information services, e-commerce activities, etc. The network
convergence infrastructure 102 is described in greater detail in
FIGS. 2 and 3. The customized content services 106 are described in
greater detail in FIGS. 4 through 8. The targeted advertising
services 108 are described in greater detail in FIGS. 9 through 11.
The caller identification services 110 are described in further
detail in FIGS. 12 through 15. The communications messaging
services 112 are described in further detail in FIGS. 16 and 17.
The emergency alerts/notification services 114 are described in
further detail in FIGS. 18 and 19. The network visualization
services 116 are described in further detail in FIGS. 18 and 20
through 24. The neural network services 118 are described in
greater detail in FIGS. 18 and 25.
[0036] Turning now to FIG. 2, a portion of the network convergence
infrastructure 102 will now be described in accordance with
exemplary embodiments. The network convergence infrastructure 102
provides a means for accessing network services for multiple
disparate devices using a single sign on procedure. The network
convergence infrastructure 102 manages accounts, each of which is
established for a community of devices and/or device users. These
accounts may then be used to provide access to the consolidated
system services 106-118 as described further herein.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, a host system 202 is in communication
with an authentication server 204 and communications devices
214A-214C via one or more networks 206. Host system 202 may be
implemented using a high-speed processing device (e.g., a computer
system) that is capable of handling high volume activities
conducted via communications devices (e.g., communications devices
214A-214C), and other network entities (e.g., authentication server
204). Host system 202 may be implemented by a network service
provider, content service provider, or other enterprise.
[0038] Communications device 214A may be a computer device, such as
a general-purpose desktop or laptop system that operates over one
or more of networks 206 via an access technology such as, but not
limited to, digital subscriber line (DSL) technology, cable modem
technology, or dial-up technology. Communications device 214B may
be an Internet Protocol-enabled television (IPTV). Communications
device 214C may be a mobile telephone that operates over a wireless
network (e.g., one of networks 206) using various wireless
protocols. In exemplary embodiments, at least one of communications
devices 214A-214C establishes an account that is managed by the
provider enterprise of host system 202. For example, communications
device 214A may receive Internet services from the provider
enterprise of host system 202. As such, an account record may be
generated for the user of communications device 214A that
identifies the user and the account for which the services are
provided. Account information and records (also referred to herein
as `network convergence account records`) may be stored in a
storage device accessible by the host system 202, such as storage
device 210.
[0039] In exemplary embodiments, communications devices 214A-214C
are owned/operated by one or more individuals that share some
relationship (e.g., members of a household). While only three
communications devices 214A-214C are shown in FIG. 2, it will be
understood that many such communications devices may be used to
form a community of communications devices. For example, a wireline
PSTN telephone, SIP telephone, dual-mode mobile telephone, personal
digital assistant (PDA), or other type of communications device may
be included in the system of FIG. 2. The host system 202 implements
one or more applications for establishing and utilizing a network
convergence service account. These one or more applications are
collectively referred to herein as a network convergence
application 208. A network convergence service account may be
created for a community of communications devices (e.g., devices
214A-214C) as described herein.
[0040] Authentication server 204 may be implemented using a
high-speed processing device (e.g., a computer system) that is
capable of handling high volume activities conducted via
communications devices (e.g., communications devices 214A-214C),
and other network entities (e.g., router 218A, server 218B, base
station or cell tower 218C, etc.) via one or more networks (e.g.,
networks 206). Authentication server 204 receives requests from one
or more communications devices 214A-214C either to establish a
network convergence service account or to access network services
(e.g., consolidated system services 106-118). Authentication server
204 may implement authentication software for restricting or
controlling access to network services provided by the host system
202. Authentication server 204 may be in communication with a
customer identity system (CIS) database 212, which stores user
credentials (e.g., user names and passwords) established via the
network convergence application 208.
[0041] According to an exemplary embodiment, the system of FIG. 2
includes a modem 216A communicatively coupled to communications
device 214A and router 218A, a set top box 216B communicatively
coupled to communications device 214B and server 218B, and a
subscriber identity module (SIM) card 216C communicatively coupled
to communications device 214C and base station 218C. Further,
authentication systems 220A-220C are in communication with router
218A, server 218B, and 218C, respectively. These network elements
are described further herein.
[0042] As indicated above, networks 206 may include
circuit-switched and/or packet-switched technologies and devices,
such as routers, switches, hubs, etc., for facilitating
communications between communications devices 214A-214C and
authentication server 204. Networks may include wireline and/or
wireless components utilizing, e.g., 802.11 standards for providing
over-the-air transmissions of communications.
[0043] In exemplary embodiments, a communications device is
provisioned for the network convergence infrastructure 102 by
associating a device identifier of the communications device with a
respective account. The account, in turn, identifies each of the
communications devices belonging to the community and provides
other information as described herein. Turning now to FIG. 3, a
process for establishing and utilizing a network convergence
service account via the network convergence infrastructure 102 will
now be described in exemplary embodiments. While not necessary to
realize the advantages of the embodiments, the process described in
FIG. 3 assumes that at least one of the communications devices
214A-214C has been provisioned for receiving access to network
services provided by the host system 202. For example, a user of
communications device 214A may have established an account with the
host system 202 for receiving Internet access, e.g., DSL services.
It is also assumed that communications devices 214B and 214C are
inactive (e.g., recently purchased and unprovisioned). In addition,
it is assumed that all of communications devices 214A-214C are
associated with a single user or a community of users (e.g.,
household members). One or more of the communications devices
214A-214C may be co-located in a customer premises.
[0044] A user of a communications device (e.g., 214C) requests
provisioning of the device 214C for receiving mobile telephone
services. For example, at the time of cellular service
provisioning, the user may be prompted to receive the network
convergence services (e.g., via voice or text message at the
device). A unique identifier provided in the SIM card 216C of the
communications device 214C may be used as a device identifier by
the network convergence application 208. In addition, the user may
be asked to enter user credentials (e.g., user name and password
associated with the account, or other account information) in order
to authenticate the user with the host system 202. Likewise, at the
time of provisioning, a user of communications device 214B may be
prompted via set top box 216B and the display on communications
device 214B to enter user credentials for authentication. The
device identifier used to identify the communications device 214B
may be a unique identifier (e.g., globally unique identifier
(GUID), a MAC address, serial number, etc.) assigned to the set top
box 216B during manufacture.
[0045] In either case, according to exemplary embodiments, a one
time only provisioning authentication occurs for the device (e.g.,
214B or 214C) by transmitting the device identifier (e.g., SIM
number or GUID) and user credentials to the respective
authentication systems 220. For communications device 214B, this
transmission may occur via set top box 216B and server 218B to
authentication system 220B. For communications device 214C, this
transmission may occur via SIM card 216C and base station 218C to
authentication system 220C. Different authentication systems
220A-220C are implemented based upon the particular type of
communications device and network service.
[0046] In addition, the device identifier and user credentials are
also received by authentication server 204 at step 250. At step
252, the user credentials and device identifier are authenticated.
For example, the authentication server 204 determines if the user
credentials stored in the network convergence service account (in
storage device 210) are valid. In addition, the authentication
server 204 receives information from the relevant authentication
system 220 for the communications device. At step 254, it is
determined whether the user credentials and device identifier are
valid. If not, an error message is generated and transmitted to the
communications device at step 256. Otherwise, the device identifier
is stored with the user credentials in the CIS database 212 at step
258. The network convergence service account record is updated to
reflect the new communications device 214C.
[0047] At step 260, the user credentials and device identifier are
used to provide a single sign on for the user associated with the
account. The network convergence application 208 utilizes the user
credentials and device identifiers in the network convergence
service account to route a sign on request from respective devices
to authentication server 204 for providing a single sign on
credential.
[0048] Once the community of communications devices 214A-214C has
been provisioned and the user credentials/device identifiers have
been stored in the network convergence service account, these
devices may then access the consolidated system services 106-118 as
described further herein.
[0049] As indicated above, the consolidated system services include
customized content services 106. The customized content services
106 enable users of IPTV communications devices, e.g.,
communications device 214B, to customize content received on the
device, as well as access other services. According to exemplary
embodiments, types of programming, program content provider
preferences, parental controls, and interactive communications
including electronic purchasing, are among the many services
provided via the customized content services 106.
[0050] Turning now to FIG. 4, a block diagram of a portion of the
network convergence infrastructure 102 for implementing customized
content services 106 will now be described in exemplary
embodiments. The system of FIG. 4 includes elements similar to
those described in FIG. 2. To this extent, these elements will not
be further described.
[0051] According to an exemplary embodiment, the system of FIG. 4
includes a content server 302 in communication with host system
202A, authentication server 204A, and communications devices
214A-214C over networks 206. Content server 302 may be implemented
at a video head end office (VHO), regional video services office
(VSO) or other source of content that distributes programming,
news, gaming, etc., on a local, national, or international basis.
While only one content server 302 is shown for ease of
illustration, it will be understood that content server 302 may be
one of many content servers 302 in communication with the network
convergence infrastructure 102 of FIG. 4. These content servers may
provide a variety of content over an IP-based network. The content
may include premium channels, broadcast programming, and
Internet-based matter. The content provided by content servers may
include, e.g., news, sports, weather, business, shopping, traffic,
stocks, etc., and may provide a range of content types, such as
health and fitness, documentaries, comedy, science fiction,
action/adventure, horror, romance, drama, etc., over IP-based
network. A user of the customized content services 106 may
designate preferred content providers and preferred content, as
well as preferred localized content with respect to, e.g., weather,
traffic, etc.
[0052] Host system 202A executes a custom content application 306
for facilitating the customized content services 106 described
herein. Users of communications devices 214A-214C, who have
established a network convergence service account (FIG. 2) may
establish personalized electronic programming guides for
customizing the content provided by content sources (e.g., content
server 302). In addition, a separate identity for each IPTV-enabled
communications device (e.g., communications device 214B) associated
with the account may be established for further personalizing the
content received by users in the account. Although the following
description references the communications device 214B as being
IPTV-enabled, it should be appreciated that other communications
devices (e.g., 214A and/or 214C) may also be IPTV-enabled and may
request and display personalized electronic programming guides as
discussed below with regard to communications device 214B.
[0053] The custom content application 306 may provide a user
interface via a display screen of the communications device 214B
such that a user of the device 214B may be prompted to establish a
personalized electronic programming guide. The options provided by
the user interface may be selected via input features and functions
(e.g., up/down, left/right arrow keys, `select` key, etc.) provided
on the communications device 214B, the display screen of the
communications device 214B, or on a remote control device
associated with the communications device 214B.
[0054] In addition, a set top box (e.g., 216B) associated with the
communications device 214B may be configured to send a unique
device identifier (e.g., GUID, MAC address, serial number, etc.) to
the host system 202A, which in turn, initiates the custom content
application 306. In this embodiment, the custom content application
306 presents the user interface options on the communications
device 214B and associates results of the user's selections with
the device identifier. Further, the device identifier may then be
used, along with the user's network address, or PPPoE address,
provided in the account to designate a transmission address for
distributing the customized content. For example, if the GUID is
used as a device identifier and the user's credentials are
"PPPoE@networkdomainaddress.non", the custom content application
306 creates a network address:
"GUID#.PPPoE@networkdomainaddress.non". In this manner, the device
214B itself becomes a separate `user` in the account.
[0055] Once a user registers the device with the host system 202A,
the user may be prompted via the communications device 214A to
rename the device (e.g., LIVINGROOM_TV, JOEYS_BDRM_TV, etc.). The
custom content application 306 stores the new user credentials
(i.e., the device identifier and PPPoE information) in the customer
identity store 212A. Future requests from users to access content
via the custom content application 306 will be authenticated by
authentication server 204A as the device has been provisioned for
the network services, as well as the customized content services
106. If a user chooses not to `log in` to the account prior to
accessing content on the communications device 214B, the user will
be presented with content as typically implemented in the art.
[0056] As indicated above, a registered user may establish a
personalized electronic programming guide via the customized
content services 106. In addition, a user with maximum defined
access control privileges (e.g., head of household, parent, etc.)
as configured via the custom content application 306, may manage
other users established in the account. Turning now to FIG. 5, a
process for implementing the customized content services 106 will
now be described in exemplary embodiments. The process begins at
step 350, whereby a user requests access to the customized content
services 106 via host system 202A. The custom content application
306 presents a user interface screen with options to the user via,
e.g., a display screen on the communications device 214B.
Alternatively, the user may access a web site of the host system
202A via one or more of the communications devices 214A-214B
associated with the community having a web browser (e.g., via
communications device 214A) in order to create the personalized
electronic programming guide. A sample user interface screen is
shown in FIG. 6. The user interface screen 366 of FIG. 6 includes a
`sign in` or authentication window 368.
[0057] The user is prompted to enter a user name (not shown) and
password (e.g., if logging in via a personal computer) or a PIN
(e.g., if logging in via an IPTV device, such as communications
device 214B). Once entered and validated, the custom content
application 306 assigns the user's credentials (e.g., PIN and/or
user name and password) to the account in database 210A. The user
interface screen 366 also includes a personal device desktop window
370 (referred to below as a personal device top) including options
for customizing content as described herein. In addition to
associating a user identification with an account, the custom
content application 306 further provides the ability to define a
user by a role, or a relationship of the user among other users in
the account. As shown in the user interface screen 366, a window
372 provides `personality` selections based upon roles. The roles
may be used by the custom content application 306 to define access
control capabilities for each of the users in the account. For
example, the roles "Dad" and "Mom" may be given maximum access
control capabilities for managing user activities for other roles
associated with the account (e.g., "Son", "Daughter").
[0058] If a user with maximum access control capabilities selects
the "Manage Users" option on personal device-top window 370, a new
user interface screen 380 is presented as shown in FIG. 7. User
interface screen 380 may include a window 382 for managing users.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the user with maximum defined
access controls enters the name of a user for which controls are
desired and may select a personality, or role, of the user, in this
case, "Son" 384. The user then selects parental controls 386 to
define the restrictions to content and services as shown in the
window 388 of FIG. 7. Alternatively, if the user has already been
defined for the account (e.g., a personality has already been
selected), the user with maximum defined access controls may
instead select "Parental Controls" 375 directly from the window 370
of FIG. 6.
[0059] Returning to FIG. 7, a variety of access restrictions may be
placed on a user via the parental controls feature. For example,
restrictions regarding content ratings, content situations, Web
content, services such as games and video on demand, in addition to
calling restrictions may be placed on a user via the parental
control feature. These calling restrictions may be based upon
destination calling numbers (e.g., via calling list window 390), by
time ranges, or a combination of the above.
[0060] Returning now to FIG. 5, a process for creating a
personalized electronic programming guide will be continued. At
step 354, the custom content application 306 presents a listing of
programming content sources for selection. These content sources
may include broadcast content, IP-based content, premium channel
content, etc. A user interface screen depicting a sample customized
EPG is shown in FIG. 8. The user has selected the content sources
listed in the user interface screen 392 of FIG. 8. The custom
content application 306 assigns these preferences to the user's
account at step 354. In addition, if a role has been selected by
the user (e.g., "Dad"), this role may be assigned to the user's
account as well at step 356.
[0061] The custom content application 306 creates a profile that
includes these preferences (and role, if selected) and stores the
profile in database 210A of FIG. 4. A personalized electronic
programming guide is created for the user at step 360. The
personalized electronic programming guide (EPG) is used by the host
system 202A in determining which channels will be presented to the
communications device 214. In this manner, the user is able to
bypass those channels in which he/she has no interest.
[0062] At step 362, it is determined whether another request for an
electronic programming guide is received. If so, the process
returns to step 352. Otherwise, the process ends at step 364. The
custom content application 306 may utilize user credentials (e.g.,
PIN and/or user name and password) and device identifiers (e.g.,
GUID, MAC address, etc.) provided in the account as described in
FIGS. 2 and 3 to direct the customized content to the device
currently operated by the user. In this manner, the user may access
customized content via his/her EPG at any device identified in the
account.
[0063] The features provided by the personal device-top window 370
of FIG. 6 may include purchasing items that are advertised or
presented on the display screen of the communications device via an
e-wallet component. A user may be prompted to select an item for
purchase whereby the e-wallet feature is initiated. In exemplary
embodiments, the e-wallet feature incorporates bank account
information (e.g., credit card data, routing numbers, etc.) for an
account and routes the purchase data (e.g., purchase price, date,
seller information) to a destination based upon the bank account
information. This bank account information may be stored in the
user's account and accessed at any time a purchase is desired.
[0064] A sample account record for a community of users may include
the following information fields whereby one or more fields are
mapped to one or more others of these fields: ACCT ID, USER/ENTITY,
ROLE_MAX, ROLE_SUB, DEVICE_ID, ENTITY_ADDRESS, CREDENTIALS. The
ACCT ID may identify the group of users assigned to the account
(e.g., family members in a household). The USER/ENTITY may identify
each individual user in the group and may include assigned devices
for the account (e.g., LIVINGROOM_TV). The ROLE_MAX field may
reference those users with maximum privileges (e.g., "Dad"), while
ROLE_SUB field may reference subordinate privileges (e.g., "Son").
The CREDENTIALS fields may store a list of the user's sign on
information, such as user name, password, PIN, etc.
[0065] Likewise, a profile may include some of the account
information described above, and may include each user's individual
preferences. For example, a profile for "Dad" may include
personally selected television stations (e.g., sports channels,
premium channels, etc), as well as permissions granted to
subordinate users (e.g., users identified in the ROLE_SUB field of
the account record), etc.
[0066] Once the profiles have been established for each account,
information associated with the profiles and custom EPGs may be
used to provide targeted advertising services to commercial
advertising entities. Using information provided in the user
profiles and accounts stored in database 210A, as well as other
sources of information, the targeted advertising services 108
enable a service provider, such as host system 202 to more
particularly define a target market to which advertisements may be
transmitted. In addition, the targeted advertising services 108
provide the host system 202 with the ability to capture detailed
viewing information with respect to users defined in the accounts
and provide useful reporting information to these advertisers.
These features are described further herein.
[0067] Turning now to FIGS. 9 and 11, block diagrams illustrating a
portion of the network convergence infrastructure 102 for
implementing targeted advertising services 108 will now be
described in exemplary embodiments. The system of FIGS. 9 and 11
include elements similar to those described in FIGS. 2 and 4. To
this extent, these elements will not be further described. The
system of FIG. 9 includes a host system 202B in communication with
a video-on-demand (VOD) server 402; an ad server 404; an ad
traffic, billing and reporting system 406; and communications
devices 214B. Video-on-demand server 402 provides content
programming that is distributed to communications devices (e.g.,
communications devices 214B) upon request. For example, content
provided by VOD server 402 may include programming that is ordered
and charged to the user on a per-viewing basis (e.g.,
Pay-per-view). In this embodiment, VOD server 404 may be located in
a video head end (VHO) office that handles content distribution for
a large geographic region. Alternatively, the content provided by
VOD server 402 may be localized content (e.g., video serving office
(VSO), or central office (CO), etc.) that provides content that is
specific to the region in which the communications devices 214B
reside. In further embodiments, the content provided by VOD server
402 may be personal videos of users of communications devices 214B,
whereby VOD server 402 provides network storage of the content for
the users. The content may be distributed to other communications
devices 214B upon request of the owner (e.g., users of
communications devices 214B).
[0068] Ad server 404 receives content 408 from a content source,
e.g., content server 302 of FIG. 4. The ad server 404 includes
logic for inserting advertisements into the content data stream
that is distributed over networks 206 to communications devices,
such as communications devices 214B. Ad server 404 may be
implemented by the service provider of host system 202B. The ad
server 404 utilizes an electronic programming guide (e.g., EPG 424)
to determine the appropriate time and location of a program within
which to insert the advertisement. The EPG 424 may include a
schedule of programming including beginning and end times.
[0069] Ad traffic, billing and reporting system 406 receives
results of activities conducted via the targeted advertising
services 108 and generates reports for advertisers as will be
described further herein. Ad traffic, billing and reporting system
406 may be implemented using a general-purpose computer processing
device.
[0070] Host system 202B executes an advertising services
application 410 for implementing the targeted advertising services
108 described herein. Advertising services application 410 may
interface with custom content application 306A as needed. Host
system 202B may also implement an application for collecting
content stream data as will be described herein. This content
stream collection application may be implemented using a channel
monitoring process, such as the process and system disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,718,551, as well as U.S. patent application Ser.
Nos. 08/779,306, 11/186,163, 10/036,677, 11/212,369, 10/017,111,
11/212,350, 10/017,640, 10/036,923, 10/029,173, 10/034,654,
10/735,309, 10/735,346, the entire contents of all these documents
are incorporated herein by reference.
[0071] Communications devices 214B receive distributed content from
VOD server 402 and/or ad server 404 via networks 206, gateway 412,
and set top boxes 216B as described herein.
[0072] As indicated above, the targeted advertising services 108
utilize information provided in the user profiles and accounts
stored in database 210A, as well as other sources of information to
enable a service provider, such as host system 202B to more
particularly define a target market to which advertisements may be
transmitted. Other information may come from a variety of sources.
For example, past viewing activities may be gathered over time and
stored in a marketing database (e.g., MKIS database 420) as
described herein. In addition, account information and profiles
stored in database 210A may be used. Profile information provides
information that may be useful in determining a target market for
advertising placement, e.g., role, gender, age group, personalized
electronic programming guides, etc. provide significant information
about a particular content viewer. Other information may be derived
from external sources, such as credit information (e.g., FICA
scores), viewer address, account service package, residence, income
range, etc. This information is captured and stored in customer
database 422.
[0073] The advertising services application 410 may utilize each of
these information sources to generate demographic profiles for
account holders and users. A demographic profile, e.g., may specify
a gender, income range, family structure (e.g., dual income, no
children), credit worthiness, age range, residential area, etc. In
addition, the profile information stored in database 210A and the
personalized electronic programming guides enable the advertising
services application 410 to capture even greater details, such as
the types of programming content the viewer has interest in (e.g.,
personal preferences or interests), as well as the viewing habits
(e.g., particular time of day, number of hours, etc. a viewer is
watching television). This information may be facilitated e.g.,
using the single sign on feature that identifies both the user and
device. As indicated above, this information may be captured in
MKIS database 420 over time to determine the viewing habits and
preferences of the viewer.
[0074] Video on demand (VOD) server 402 may be a source of content
whereby a user requests a particular program or content selection
for viewing and/or recording. The content may be stored at the VOD
server 402 and streamed to the viewer's device (e.g., one or both
of devices 214B) upon request. The viewer may perform a variety of
functions with respect to the content, e.g., fast-forward through
portions, rewind, or pause portions, etc., via control options at
the viewer's location (e.g., remote control device or device
selections). These activities, e.g., requesting the content, moving
forward or backward through the content presentation, pausing,
terminating the stream, etc., may also be captured, e.g., via the
channel monitoring activities described above. In this manner, the
viewer's behavior may be monitored and utilized by the targeted
advertising services 108 in determining what types of advertising
may be transmitted.
[0075] Turning now to FIG. 10, a flow diagram describing a process
for implementing the targeted advertising services 108 in exemplary
embodiments will now be described. The process begins at step 450
whereby the advertising services application 410 gathers profile
information, past viewing behaviors, and external data for its
viewing audience at step 452. As indicated above, this information
may be gathered from and/or stored in databases 420, 210A, 422, and
426. The advertising services application 410 builds demographic
profiles for users based upon the gathered information and stores
the demographic profiles in database 426 at step 454.
[0076] At step 456, the host system 202B receives a request from an
advertiser to present an advertisement to a population of the
viewing audience (e.g., device users). The advertiser provides a
set of business parameters for establishing the target audience,
timing of the advertisement, and program placement, to name a
few.
[0077] At step 458, the advertising services application 410
searches demographic profiles database 426 to identify those
demographic profiles that satisfy the criteria provided in the
business parameters (e.g., target a cereal advertisement to males
between the ages of 6 and 10). The EPG guide database 424 may be
searched in order to determine the program placement for the
advertisement if specified by the advertiser. Once the demographic
profile is identified, the advertising services application 410
identifies those users (e.g., via profiles, personalized EPGs,
etc.) that meet the demographic profile.
[0078] At step 460, the advertisement is assigned by the ad server
404 for distribution to the targeted audience (e.g., users
identified in demographic profile) and the advertisement is
transmitted to corresponding communications devices 214. At step
462, it is determined whether there are any further advertisements
in need of distribution (e.g., where the business parameters
specify that the advertisement must be distributed a specific
number of times or over a specified time range). If there are
additional advertisements, the process returns to step 460.
Otherwise, the process ends at step 464.
[0079] As indicated above, the results of the distribution of
advertisements may be used to generate reports for advertisers, as
well as for billing purposes. The advertisement distribution data
may be captured by host system 202B, e.g., via ad server 404 and
networks 206 and transmitted to the ad traffic, billing and
reporting system 406 for report generation and transmission. In
addition, the data captured by the targeted advertising services
may be used to develop and implement a business model for
generating revenue. For example, the targeted advertising services
provide the capability to capture and synthesize the detailed
activities of viewers. This information may be used to provide
advertisers with useful information about the particular
demographics surrounding potential or actual purchasers of products
sold by the advertisers. Suppose, for example, that an advertiser
sells MP3 players. The targeted audience selected for receiving
advertisements related to MP3 players may be monitored in order to
determine how successful the advertisement is. It may be that the
anticipated audience is not watching television at the time the
advertisement is displayed (e.g., after 10 p.m. during the school
year as compared to the summer months when older children are awake
longer hours). It may also be that a renegade hit television show
unexpectedly draws an audience of the desired, targeted age group.
The actual (versus `anticipated`) viewing behaviors may be captured
by the targeted advertising services and relayed to the relevant
advertisers, such that modifications to the targeted viewing
audience can be realized in near real time. In addition, the
targeted advertising services may track the purchasing activities
of the viewer (e.g., via the e-wallet feature) and may charge a
premium for this information.
[0080] As indicated above, a channel monitoring application may be
used to intermittently collect viewing behavior by users of
communications devices 214B. The channel monitoring application may
reside anywhere within the network convergence infrastructure 102,
e.g., within networks 206, gateway 412, and set top boxes 216B, to
name a few. The click stream data captured by the channel
monitoring application provides information, such as whether a
communications device 214B is currently active (e.g., user signed
on to device) or whether a user of communications device 214B is
currently viewing a program (e.g., via channel changes, volume
adjustment, etc.). This information may be useful in determining
whether a viewer actually perceived the advertisement that was
presented (e.g., the user did not leave the room during the
advertisement because the click stream data at the time indicates a
volume adjustment). This click stream data may be gathered by the
advertising services application 410 and used by the advertiser in
establishing business parameters. For example, the advertiser may
specify that a number of advertisements must be `perceived` by
viewers and not simply transmitted to the communications device.
Reporting details regarding this parameter may be captured and
presented to the advertiser in order to demonstrate compliance with
the business parameter, as well as for billing purposes.
[0081] In further exemplary embodiments, the advertisement may be
targeted to a specific device within a household. Depending upon
the nature of the transmission (e.g., broadcast versus unicast),
this may be accomplished using a variety of techniques. For
example, if a program content is unicast, then the advertising
services application 410 identifies those communications devices
which have been activated by a viewer and which meets the
demographic profile criteria (e.g., the viewer has signed on to
LIVINGROOM_TV.PPPoE@domainaddress.non, where PPPoE is determined to
be a viewer that fits the demographic profile). The advertising
services application 410 presents the information to the ad server
404, which in turn, transmits the advertisement directly to the
device address. In this manner, each IPTV device in a household may
be presented with different advertisements while watching the same
channel. In addition, if the user is viewing content from VOD
server 402, the advertising services application 410 may direct the
ad server 404 to transmit an advertisement at a designated time
(e.g., immediately prior to displaying the content) to the
viewer.
[0082] If the transmission is broadcast, the advertisement may be
targeted to a specific communications device using a different
technique, as described in FIG. 11. The system of FIG. 11 includes
elements similar to those described in FIGS. 2, 4, and 9. To this
extent, these elements will not be further described.
[0083] The system of FIG. 11 includes an iterative ad application
470 executing on a set top box 216D. Once the advertising services
application 410A determines a communications device that meets the
requirements set forth in the demographic profile described above
in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the advertising services application 410
uses the EPG in database 424 to determine a schedule (e.g., timing
and placement) of the advertisement for the device. The advertising
services application 410A issues a request to the ad server 404 to
upload advertisements to the set top box 216D of the communications
device 214D at a given time (e.g., off-peak times). At the given
time, the advertisements and schedule are distributed over networks
206 to the set top box 216D. The iterative ad application 470
includes logic for ensuring that the advertisements are presented
according to the schedule. In addition, the iterative ad
application 470 may include the click stream functionality in order
to determine whether the advertisement was successfully viewed by
the user of communications device 214D. This information may then
be transmitted to host system 202B for further processing as
described above.
[0084] In yet further embodiments, the targeted advertising
services 108 may enable host system 202B to track purchases
conducted via the e-wallet feature provided by the consolidated
system services 106-118. The e-wallet feature may be accessed
directly (e.g., via personal device-top window 370 of FIG. 6), or
may be accessed by selecting a function on a remote control device
for the communications device 214 when prompted on the display
screen. The host system 202B may identify purchases made by users
of communications devices and may further collect other information
about the purchases (e.g., user role, advertisement identifier and
time of order, etc.).
[0085] As indicated above, caller identification services 110 may
be implemented via the network convergence infrastructure 102. The
caller identification services 110 enable IPTV subscribers to view
caller information directly on the IPTV device. The caller
information is routed over various network elements depending upon
the caller and calling device network configuration. FIG. 12
illustrates a system embodiment for calls terminating at a wireline
communications device. FIG. 14 illustrates a system embodiment for
calls terminating at a wireless mobile communications device. Each
of the system embodiments described in FIGS. 12 and 14 are
implemented using a termination attempt trigger or similar
triggering event as will be described further herein. FIG. 15
illustrates a system embodiment for implementing the caller
identification services without the termination attempt trigger.
FIG. 15 also illustrates an example of the caller information as it
may be displayed on a device. Alternatively, or additionally, the
caller party information may be rendered as an audible announcement
delivered over the IPTV audio system.
[0086] Turning now to FIG. 12, a block diagram of a portion of the
network convergence infrastructure 102 for implementing the caller
identification services 110 for calls terminating at a wireline
communications device will now be described in exemplary
embodiments. The system of FIG. 12 includes elements similar to
those described in FIGS. 2, 4, 9, and 11. To this extent, these
elements will not be further described.
[0087] For ease of illustration, the system of FIG. 12 depicts a
simplified network infrastructure. It will be understood that a
variety of network components/nodes may be utilized in implementing
the embodiment described herein. The system of FIG. 12 includes a
controller system (e.g., service control point (SCP) server or
application server) 502 in communication with a communications
device 214E over one or more networks 206A and 206B. Controller
system 502 may also communicate with networks 206D. Communications
device 214E may be a wireline telephone associated with the account
also servicing the communications device 214B (e.g., both devices
are within the community of a single account or household and may
be co-located at a single customer premises).
[0088] Public switched telephone network (PSTN) 206A may include
central office switches (not shown), which in turn may include
service switching point (SSP) functionality (not shown). The
switches originate and/or terminate calls and communicate over the
SS7 network 206B with controller system 502 and a caller
identification name database (e.g., CNAM database) 504 to determine
how to route a call, or set up and manage a call feature such as
the caller identification services 110. Caller identification
database 504 may include a table of telephony user information
(e.g., subscriber names and numbers) and maps the names to the
caller party numbers received at the controller system 502.
Controller system 502 is also in communication with an IPTV
database 505. IPTV database 505 may store account information for
subscribers of the caller identification services 110 (e.g., users
of communications devices 214E and 214B). In alternate exemplary
embodiments, the caller and/or the called party may be served by an
IMS-based telecommunications network that is capable of responding
to triggering events, and is in communication with a CNAM database
by SS7 or IP connectivity.
[0089] In exemplary embodiments, IPTV database 505 contains IPTV
addresses for IPTV-enabled communications devices (e.g.,
communications device 214B), each of which are mapped to another
communications device address (e.g., telephone number assigned to a
user of communications device 214E). The addresses for these
devices are mapped to one another, such that caller identification
information for a call that is directed to a first communications
device via a voice network (e.g., communications device 214E) is
transmitted to, and presented on, an IPTV-enabled communications
device (e.g., communications device 214B) over a data network
(e.g., networks 206D). Controller system 502 executes an
application for implementing these services, referred to herein as
caller identification services application 506. Caller
identification services application 506 may be a service package
application (SPA). Service package applications facilitate various
communications features, such as caller identification services and
call blocking. SPAs may be initiated as a result of a termination
attempt triggering event as described herein.
[0090] SS7 network 206B may include various network elements, such
as signal transfer points (STPs) (not shown), packet switches for
routing call signaling traffic through the networks 206. The SS7
network 206B may transmit the call signals via reserved channels,
or signaling links, that connect central offices of PSTN 206A (not
shown) and other network elements.
[0091] Networks 206D may include an IP-based network that receives
call information from controller system 502 and delivers the call
information to set top box 216B and communications device 214B for
display or other rendering on the communications device 214B.
[0092] The caller identification services 110 may utilize a
termination trigger point that, upon detection, triggers the caller
identification services application 506 to process the incoming
call signal and is implemented by the caller identification
services application 506 as described herein. The caller
identification services application 506 may be implemented, e.g.,
as an advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) application and protocols,
using SIP signaling, using a Java application utilizing data
transmission protocols, such as XML and SOAP, or a combination of
these or other program implementation. When a telephone call is
placed by a calling party (e.g., shown as incoming call to PSTN
206A), the calling signal is transmitted as described herein.
[0093] Turning now to FIG. 13, a flow diagram describing a process
for implementing the caller identification services 110 for calls
terminating at a wireline communications device (e.g., PSTN-enabled
device) over a voice network will now be described in exemplary
embodiments.
[0094] A communication is initiated by a caller communications
device over a voice network (e.g., PSTN 206A). A central office
switch or SSP of PSTN 206A receives the communication (e.g.,
communication signaling), resulting in a termination attempt
trigger. The trigger causes a communication request to proceed over
SS7 network 206B via, e.g., a signal transfer point (STP). At step
550, the communication request is received at the controller system
502. The communication request includes call-related information,
e.g., called party number (e.g., a number assigned with
communications device 214E) and caller party number. The caller
identification services application 506 authorizes a communication
session between the called party device and the caller party device
via a return reply (e.g., termination authorization signal) over
the signaling network (e.g., SS7 network 206B). At the same time,
caller identification database 504 is searched for caller party
identification information (e.g., caller name).
[0095] At step 554, the caller party identification information is
retrieved from database 504. The caller identification services
application 506 searches IPTV database 505 for the called party
number. The called party number may be used to map communications
address information for devices, such as communications devices
214E and 214B. An IPTV address mapped to the called party number is
retrieved at step 556. The IPTV address may be a uniform resource
locator (URL), Internet address, or other type of address. At step
558, the caller party identification information is transmitted
over a data network (e.g., networks 206D) to the IPTV-enabled
communications device assigned to the IPTV address (e.g.,
communications device 214B). The caller party identification
information may be transmitted to the set top box 216B of the
IPTV-enabled communications device 214B using, e.g., UDP/HTTP
protocols, where it is displayed or otherwise rendered on the IPTV
device. It will be understood that database 505 may include
information specifying which of several IPTV set top boxes have
requested to receive caller information, and which have not.
[0096] The caller identification services 110 described above may
be modified or adapted to varying communication networks. Turning
now to FIG. 14, a system for implementing the caller identification
services for calls terminating at a wireless mobile communications
device will now be described in exemplary embodiments. The system
of FIG. 14 includes elements similar to those described above in
FIGS. 2, 4, 9, 11, and 12. To this extent, these elements will not
be further described. As shown in FIG. 14, a subscriber of the
caller identification services 110 communicates via communications
device 214C, which may be a wireless mobile telephone operating
over a cellular network.
[0097] An incoming call to communications device 214C
(communications request) proceeds through PSTN 206A, SS7 network
206B, and on to GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)
network 206C. The communication request is routed by the GSM 206C
to a mobile switching center (MSC) 508, which is responsible for
routing incoming and outgoing calls within its own network or to
and from a wireline network (e.g., PSTN 206A) or to and from other
wireless networks.
[0098] The MSC 508 queries a home location register (HLR) 510,
which provides the administrative information required to
authenticate, register and locate the called communications device
214C. Once authenticated, registered, and located, the MSC 508
transmits the communications request to controller system 502A.
This communications request may result from, e.g., a Wireless
Intelligent Network (WIN) trigger, a Customized Applications for
Mobile Network Enhanced Logic (CAMEL) trigger, or other triggering
event such as used in an IMS-based network. The caller
identification services application 506A authorizes the
communication via a message transmitted back to the MSC 508 whereby
the MSC 508 terminates the call via GSM network 206C and a wireless
base station 218C. At the same time the call is being delivered,
the caller identification services application 506A searches caller
identification database 504 for caller party identification
information (e.g., caller name). The caller identification services
application 506A searches IPTV database 505 for the called party
number, which may be used to map communications address information
for devices, such as communications devices 214C and 214B. An IPTV
address mapped to the called party number is retrieved and the
caller party identification information is transmitted over a data
network (e.g., networks 206D) to the IPTV-enabled communications
device assigned to the IPTV address (e.g., communications device
214B). It will be understood that the caller identification
services 110 described above in FIG. 14 may be easily modified to
accommodate other types of wireless communications devices, e.g., a
dual- or multi-mode communications device using, e.g., an IEEE 802
wireless LAN or other wireless network.
[0099] Turning now to FIG. 15, a block diagram of a portion of the
network convergence infrastructure for implementing IPTV caller
identification services 110 in alternative exemplary embodiments
will now be described. The embodiments described in FIGS. 12 and 14
utilize a termination attempt trigger for initiating the caller
identification services 110. However, a termination attempt trigger
implementation may have certain limitations in some network
implementations that limit its usefulness in this application. The
system described in FIG. 15 provides an alternative means for
implementing the caller identification services.
[0100] An incoming call is received at the PSTN 206A. A Custom
Local Area Signaling Service (CLASS) feature in the receiving
central office switch of PSTN 206A initiates a query, e.g., a
TR-1188 message, for caller party identification information. The
central office switch is typically not required to know which
controller system is responsible for managing the caller party
identification information. The query is transmitted to a signal
transfer point (STP) via the SS7 network 206E. The STP accesses a
global title translation table database 512 in order to determine
the appropriate controller system to send the request. Translation
tables 514 include a numbering plan area and exchange field
(NPA-NXX), a destination point code (DPC) field and a subsystem
number (SSN) field. The NPA-NXX field corresponds to calling
numbers for subscribers. The DPC field refers to a destination
address for a controller system that handles a particular NPA-NXX.
The subsystem number identifies the service that is being
requested.
[0101] Once the controller system responsible for the caller party
identification is determined, the request is forwarded to the
controller system (e.g., controller system 502B). A CLASS caller
identification application 509 executing on the controller system
502B determines which of its services are handled by the subsystem
number. This may be implemented by accessing service table database
518. Service tables 522 stored therein include a subsystem number
field (SSN) and service field (SVC). The service field identifies
which service is invoked by a given subsystem number. In this case,
the subsystem number relates to the service package application
which provides the CLASS Caller ID service. However, the CLASS
application 509 is modified to incorporate the IPTV caller
identification services capability 110. The CLASS application 509
optionally performs normal Caller ID processing, returning the
normal reply message, containing the caller name information, to
the central office switch. Then the caller identification services
component 506B, which has been added to the CLASS application,
accesses IPTV database 505 and searches records 524 for the called
party account (e.g., the account associated with communications
device 214E. The records 524 provide a mapping of subscriber data
to the IPTV-enabled devices (e.g., communications device 214B or
set top box 216B) associated with the caller identification
services 110 subscribers.
[0102] The caller identification services component 506B also
searches caller identification database 504 in order to determine
the caller party identification information (e.g., caller name).
The caller party identification is transmitted over networks 206D
to communications device 214B as previously described. As noted,
the normal CLASS caller party identification information may be
transmitted over SS7 network 206E and PSTN 206A to the called
device (e.g., communications device 214E) in a manner similar to
that described above in FIGS. 12 and 14.
[0103] As indicated above, communications messaging services 112
may be implemented via the network convergence infrastructure 102.
The communications messaging services 112 provide various messaging
and content delivery functions to subscribers of IPTV-enabled
devices. Turning now to FIG. 16, a block diagram of a portion of
the network convergence infrastructure 102 for implementing
communications messaging services 112 will now be described in
exemplary embodiments. The system of FIG. 16 includes elements
similar to those described in FIGS. 2, 4, 9, 11, 12, 14, and 15. To
this extent, these elements will not be further described.
[0104] The system of FIG. 16 includes a host system 202C in
communication with communications devices 602 and 214E, a mail
server 604 and a web server 606 over networks 206E. Host system
202C executes one or more applications for implementing the
communications message services 112 described herein. These one or
more applications are collectively referred to herein as a
communications service features application 608. The communications
messaging services 112 provide for the distribution of
communications and messaging content to IPTV-enabled devices and
include short messaging service (SMS) communications and images
transmitted from mobile communications devices, local
video-on-demand content, public or private channel-based content,
and Internet-based content. The SMS and image communications may be
facilitated via network components, such as short messaging service
centers (SMSCs), gateway components implemented via, e.g., networks
206E. The host system 202C may provide all or a portion of the
functionality required for implementing the receipt, processing,
and distribution of electronic messages (e.g., SMS, instant
messaging, and email). Alternatively, host system 202C may provide
a portion of the functionality; that is, the electronic messages
may be processed in a `store-and-forward` manner to other network
elements, e.g., mail server 604 and web server 606, which may
provide messaging services to recipient communications devices
(e.g., communications device 214E). If the functionality resides
solely in the host system 202C, the host system 202C may include a
web server component, mail server component, and other components
as needed.
[0105] The host system 202C may communicate with one or more
storage devices, such as storage devices 612 and 614 for
implementing the communications messaging services 112. Storage
device 612 may store account records for subscribers of the
communications messaging services 112. Accounts are established for
subscribers and include an identification of the subscriber, an
Internet Protocol television address of the subscriber that
identifies the IPTV device (e.g., communications device 602,
communications device 214E) for which the services are desired and
enables the host system 202C to communicate with the IPTV device.
The accounts further identify the subscribed service (e.g.,
electronic messaging, local video-on-demand, channel-based content,
and Internet-based content).
[0106] Storage device 614 may store various types of content used
in providing the communications messaging services 112. For
example, storage device 614 may store local video-on-demand
content, channel-based content, Internet sources of content, and
may temporarily store SMS messages and images awaiting transmission
to subscriber devices.
[0107] Local video-on-demand services may include providing network
storage for personal video content of a subscriber. In addition,
the local video-on-demand services enable the subscriber to
designate entities authorized to receive or access the video
content. For example, a subscriber stores video footage of a family
vacation on the network (e.g., storage device 614). The subscriber
specifies names and/or IPTV addresses of friends or relatives that
are authorized to view the content. The local video-on-demand
services provide a means by which authorized viewers may be
authenticated to the network system and access the content. The
authentication and delivery functions may be implemented via the
account information stored in storage device 612.
[0108] The channel-based content services provide a means by which
subscribers may establish a private or restricted channel of
content that is transmitted over one or more networks (e.g.,
networks 206E) to authorized recipients (e.g., those who have been
identified by the subscriber in the corresponding account).
Authorized recipients may then access the content from an IPTV
device (e.g., communications device 214E) by first authenticating
themselves with the network system (e.g., user name and password
credentials). These credentials may be the same credentials used in
providing the customized content services 106 described above in
FIGS. 4-8. A channel-based content subscriber may be a business
enterprise that distributes business-related content to its
employees via a dedicated channel provided by the communications
messaging services 112.
[0109] The Internet-based content relates to Internet
Protocol-based content that is distributed over an IP network
(e.g., streaming video content provided via a content source). The
communications messaging services 112 enables subscribers of this
service to select from `channels` or content provider sources and
receive selected content via IPTV-enabled devices (e.g.,
communications device 214E).
[0110] Turning now to FIG. 17, a flow diagram describing a process
for implementing the communications messaging services will now be
described in exemplary embodiments. At step 620, an account is
created for a subscriber of one or more of the communications
messaging services 112. One or more IPTV addresses are assigned to
the account (or to individual users in the account) at step 622.
The IPTV addresses may include a unique identifier and destination
information (e.g., a GUID of the set top box 216E of the
communications device 214E and a network address).
[0111] At step 624, an IPTV service selection is received from the
subscriber. The selection may be stored in the account created in
step 620. The selected service is provisioned for the subscriber at
step 626. Upon receiving a request (and successful validation of
the subscriber's credentials), the content may be delivered to the
IPTV address of the subscriber, or to an IPTV address of an
authorized viewer of the content, depending upon the type of
service selected.
[0112] The electronic messaging services feature may be implemented
using various techniques. In one embodiment, a user of
communications device 602 transmits an SMS message to a recipient
(e.g., 404-555-5555@domainaddress.non). The SMS message is
transmitted over networks 206E to host system 202C. The SMS message
is transmitted over networks 206E to host system 202C. The SMS
message is delivered to mail server (e.g., mail server component of
host system 202C) that services the destination address of the
recipient. The communications services feature application 608
receives the SMS message from the mail server. If an image or video
is attached, it is removed from the SMS message and stored in a
repository (e.g., storage device 614) or web server 606. A uniform
resource locator for the repository is provided in the forwarding
instructions. When the recipient set top box 216E receives the SMS
message and instructions, it accesses the uniform resource locator
to retrieve the image, which is displayed with the SMS message on
the IPTV device 214E.
[0113] FIG. 18 is a high-level view of an exemplary system
architecture for implementing an IPTV system. A customer premises
702 includes IPTV client devices which may be televisions 214B
coupled to set top boxes (STBs), wireless devices 214C, computing
devices 214A, etc. The devices are addressable by a device address
such as a GUID, MAC address, SIM identifier, etc. The STBs (not
shown) are coupled to a residential gateway 704 and then to a
communication device 216A, such as a DSL modem. The STB may also
include a digital video recorder (DVR) or be coupled to a DVR for
storing information and content as described herein.
[0114] A distribution network 705 may interface with the DSL modem
216A through a digital subscriber line access multiplexor (DSLAM)
706. The DSLAM 706 may communicate with various video serving
offices (VSOs) (e.g., SERVING OFCs 1-4) via edge aggregation
routers (EARs) 708. At least one VSO may interface with a video
head end office (VHO) (e.g., HEAD END OFC) 710 through a broadband
aggregation router (BAR) 712. The VHO 710 interfaces with the BAR
712 through a head end router (IHR) 714 which communicates with
multiple systems for distributing content. At least one content
system may include a video-on-demand unit 716 for providing content
upon request by an IPTV client. Other content sources may include a
media distribution system 718, which may deliver broadcast content
on a national or regional basis. A media acquisition system 720 may
receive content from an encoder 722 that formats content from a
content aggregator 724. It is understood that the system components
in FIG. 18 may be interconnected using a variety of network
technologies including wired and wireless technologies such as LAN,
WAN, Internet, ATM, PSTN, Ethernet, 802.11, etc.
[0115] The system architecture depicted in FIG. 18 may be used in
implementing one or more of the consolidated monitoring system
services 106-118 as described below.
[0116] As indicated above, emergency alerts/notification services
114 may be implemented via the network convergence infrastructure
102. The emergency alerts/notification services 114 enable
information service providers to distribute important emergency
information or alerts relating to, e.g., weather events or natural
disasters, man-made disasters (e.g., chemical spills), and/or
public safety events (e.g., AMBER alerts) over a network to
Internet Protocol television-enabled devices. Turning now to FIG.
19, a block diagram of a portion of the network convergence
infrastructure 102 for implementing emergency alerts/notification
services 114 will now be described in exemplary embodiments. The
system of FIG. 19 includes elements similar to those described in
FIGS. 2, 4, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 18. To this extent, these
elements will not be further described.
[0117] IPTV devices 214G may receive programming from STBs 214G in
a manner known in the art. An IPTV notification server 750 is
coupled to the STBs 214G through an IP network. The notification
server 750 may execute an alerts application 755 to implement the
emergency alert/notification services 114 described herein. The
notification server 750 may also be in communication with a storage
device 756 that stores subscriber account information (e.g.,
account identifications, GUID or IPTV device identifiers, IPTV
device addresses, geographic information, such as zip codes or FIPS
codes, etc.).
[0118] An emergency alert server (EAS) 752 is coupled to the
notification server 750 and an alert source 754 (e.g., an
AM/FM/NOAA antenna). The EAS 752 monitors AM/FM/NOAA bands from
antenna 754 for emergency announcements. If an emergency
announcement is received at the EAS 752, a geographic code
associated with the emergency announcement is parsed. The
geographic code may be a zip code, a federal information processing
standards (FIPS) code etc. The notification server 750 may be
provided with the emergency announcement and the corresponding
geographic code.
[0119] The notification server 750 may operate in two modes. In a
first mode, the emergency announcement is delivered only to the
STBs that are subscribed to the alerts/notification services 114
and located in a region corresponding to the geographic code
associated with the emergency announcement. According to exemplary
embodiments, the notification server 750 may determine the STBs
subscribed to the alerts/notification services 114 and located in
the region corresponding to the geographic code by reviewing
account information corresponding to the STBs. In particular, the
notification server 750 may review account information to determine
the accounts including geographic information that matches the
geographic code associated with the emergency announcement and may
retrieve the IPTV device addresses corresponding to the accounts
including geographic information matching the geographic code. The
notification server 750 may then send the emergency announcement to
the STBs associated with the retrieved IPTV device addresses. This
reduces bandwidth usage on the IPTV network.
[0120] In an alternate embodiment, the notification server 750
sends the emergency announcement and the associated geographic code
to all STBs that are subscribed to the alerts/notification services
114. According to an exemplary embodiment, the notification server
750 may determine the STBs subscribed to the alerts/notification
services 114 by reviewing account information corresponding to the
STBs. The STBs may then ignore or display the emergency
announcement depending on whether the STB location corresponds to
the geographic code in the emergency announcement.
[0121] The notification server 750 may communicate with other
notification servers 750 or `upstream` content providers for
receiving and distributing the alerts. For example, the
notification servers may operate using a system architecture
similar to that depicted in FIG. 18 whereby content originates from
a head end office (e.g., office 710) and is distributed based upon,
e.g., geographic regions to one or more of serving offices (e.g.,
servicing offices 705) to end devices.
[0122] As indicated above, network visualization services 116 may
be implemented via the network convergence infrastructure 102. The
network visualization services 116 enable a network user and a
network provider's technician teams to monitor network performance.
Various metrics may be provided to the user through the network
visualization services 116 as described herein. These services 116
may then be used to identify performance issues, causes, and
potential solutions.
[0123] Turning now to FIG. 20, a block diagram of a portion of the
network convergence infrastructure 102 for implementing network
visualization services 116 will now be described in exemplary
embodiments. The system of FIG. 20 includes elements similar to
those described in FIGS. 2, 4, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18 and 19. To
this extent, these elements will not be further described.
[0124] FIG. 20 illustrates IPTV network components for facilitating
the network visualization services 116. As shown in the system of
FIG. 20, a residential gateway server 802 and two IPTV clients 804
including STBs are coupled to a local area network (LAN) 806. The
IPTV clients 804 and residential gateway 802 may execute a Simple
Network Management Protocol (SNMP) client that monitors network
performance with respect to the IPTV client activities. The network
visualization services 116 may enable certain quality parameters to
be measured and monitored, such as latency, jitter, delay, etc. The
SNMP client may be implemented using a proprietary tool or may be
implemented using an off-the-shelf product, e.g., PRTG Traffic
Grapher.TM. by Paessler Incorporated.
[0125] An internal server 810 (also referred to herein as `network
monitoring system`) implements an SNMP client as well within the
IPTV infrastructure. For example, internal server 810 may be
implemented at a central office, serving office (e.g., office 705
of FIG. 18), and/or head end office (e.g., head end office 710 of
FIG. 18). Each of the offices may communicate via SNMP
client-enabled internal servers for sharing network and media
performance data gathered by their respective regions. The sharing
of information may be used to identify potential sources of network
contention, e.g., upstream-originating issues that affect
down-stream offices and serving areas. The network visualization
application 812 may identify individual IPTV network clients (e.g.,
clients 804) via, e.g., an account that is established for each
respective IPTV client that subscribes to the network visualization
services 116. The account may be implemented in a similar fashion
as that described above with respect to the customized content
services 106 of FIGS. 4 through 8 or other accounts described with
respect to the consolidated system services 106-118. The accounts
may be used to distribute client-specific (e.g., IPTV client
device) performance data to respective IPTV devices.
[0126] Various metrics may be provided to the IPTV client user
through the network visualization services 116. The metrics may be
viewed over a period time such as minutes, hours, days, etc. The
metrics may be presented in graphical formats showing real time
metrics for network traffic and a separate window for metrics over
a period of time (e.g., last 24 hours). The user may access the
network visualization services 116, e.g., through a guide on the
STB. The guide may include technical phone numbers or other contact
information for requesting technical assistance. Users may see
metrics related to their local service. The network provider
technicians (phone support, field technicians, etc.) can see
metrics for much wider portions, or the entire network, as shown in
network cloud 814 of FIG. 20 (e.g., Tiered support). The network
provider technicians may also monitor network performance using
SNMP-enabled clients if desired.
[0127] Some of the metrics may include a number of B frames, I
frames, P frames, number and types of media streams, latency,
jitter, delay, frame loss, packet loss, luminance quality,
chrominance quality, etc. The number of high definition and
standard definition channels viewed may be collected and tracked.
The network visualization tool can generate a score for media
streams and/or for the entire IPTV network. Other metrics may
include monitoring of encoding (H.264 or VC-1 from Microsoft.RTM.)
to determine the number of streams. Voice and/or video telephony
signaling (session initiation protocol (SIP), H.323) may be
monitored to indicate when calls were made. Voice streams such as
raw voice (G7.11) or compressed voice streams (G.723/G.729/G.726)
may be monitored to determine types of voice streams to/from the
household (e.g., the IPTV clients for LAN 806. Graphical depictions
of network performance data are shown in user interface screens
830, 832, and 834 of FIGS. 21-23, respectively.
[0128] The network visualization application 812 may be configured
to establish parameters for performance ranges (e.g., minimum and
maximum data values for defining acceptable versus unacceptable
performance) or other performance range criteria and values. The
parameters may be used as a baseline to identify the existence of a
performance issue as well as a severity measure for the issue.
[0129] In determining a cause of a condition relating to network
and media performance, the network visualization application 812
may be configured to query external systems (e.g., peer serving
offices 705, content sources, such as AM/FM/NOAA antenna 754 of
FIG. 19) in assessing potential causes of performance
conditions.
[0130] Once the data has been gathered for a particular IPTV client
and/or a community of IPTV clients (e.g., via serving offices 705
and/or head end office 710), the data may be used to identify
issues and causes of any perceived problems associated with network
performance. Turning now to FIG. 24, a flow diagram describing a
process for implementing the network visualization services 116
will now be described in accordance with exemplary embodiments.
[0131] At step 850, an IPTV address is assigned to a network
monitoring system (e.g., internal server 810). The IPTV address may
be used to establish a communication session with the IPTV client
device 804 and/or to gather network and media performance data from
the IPTV client device 804. The network monitoring system gathers
performance and media data for the IPTV client device, as well as
other IPTV client devices to which it has been assigned at step
852.
[0132] At step 854, the performance data gathered is transmitted
(e.g., in real time) to the IPTV client 804 using the IPTV client
address in the account. At step 856, it is determined whether a
triggering event has occurred. A triggering event may be a
condition, the occurrence of which causes the network visualization
application 812 to perform an analysis of a user's network and
media performance. The triggering event may be a simple request
from the respective IPTV client 804 to perform an analysis.
Alternatively, the triggering event may be an issue detected with
respect to a network device or system through which service is
provided to subscribers. Alternatively, the triggering event might
be a periodic or scheduled sampling and analysis by a network
service provider.
[0133] If no triggering event has occurred, the process returns to
step 852 whereby the network monitoring system 810 continues to
monitor the assigned IPTV client(s). Otherwise, the network
visualization application 812 compares the gathered data to
parameters established for the device (e.g., based upon a service
level package) or a defined network performance value (e.g.,
acceptable versus unacceptable) at step 858. If the performance
data gathered within a range specified by the parameters at step
860, the process returns to step 852 whereby the network monitoring
system 810 continues to gather performance data. Otherwise, the
network monitoring system 810 gathers and analyzes external sources
of network performance data in order to determine a cause or
origination of the issue resulting in the out-of-range performance
values at step 862. As indicated above, the external sources of
information may come from other network monitoring systems located
in a nearby region (e.g., serving offices 705, weather information
provider, emergency information provider, power supplier, etc.).
The results of the analysis are recorded in storage of the network
monitoring system 810 at step 864.
[0134] At step 866, if the network monitoring system 810 has
completed its analysis, the process returns to step 852. Otherwise,
the process returns to step 862 whereby additional external
information gathering may be conducted. The information recorded
may be used to provide neural network services 118 as described
herein. In this context, the term neural-network services refers to
analysis capabilities that may be implemented using actual neural
networks, simulated neural networks, or conventional computer
processing systems designed to manage complex systems
efficiently.
[0135] As indicated above, neural network services (also referred
to herein as media content analysis, distribution, and
re-allocation services) 118 may be implemented via the network
convergence infrastructure 102. The neural network services 118
provide a means for determining how to allocate content across an
IPTV network based upon factors or decision criteria, such as
forecasted demand, network contention issues, planned network
maintenance, etc. These factors may be quantified by metrics, e.g.,
bandwidth availability/capacity, CPU processing requirements, and
disk storage constraints across the network. In addition, the
decision criteria and metrics may be generated or modified by a
service provider or other entity as needed.
[0136] Turning now to FIG. 25, a block diagram of a portion of the
network convergence infrastructure 102 for implementing neural
network services 118 will now be described in exemplary
embodiments. The system of FIG. 25 includes elements similar to
those described in FIGS. 2, 4, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, and
20. To this extent, these elements will not be further
described.
[0137] As indicated above, the neural network services 118 enable a
service provider to determine how to allocate content (e.g., music,
video, data, etc.) across an IPTV network. Content may be stored
and distributed from multiple sources in the IPTV network. While
broadcast content is viewable at a certain time, other content may
be provided on a video-on-demand (VOD) basis and can be stored in
variety of locations including a video head end (e.g., head end
office 710), video serving office (e.g., servicing offices 705A and
705B), a DVR at a gateway device 704 (e.g., a set top box in
communication with an IPTV device) at the user premises, etc. Given
these multiple storage locations, a determination may be made of
the optimum location for storing content.
[0138] The system of FIG. 25 depicts a neural network analyzer 900
that utilizes, e.g., principles of neural networks for continuously
re-calculating and re-allocating content within a media
distribution application layered over an IP network in determining
where content may be stored. The neural network analyzer 900 may be
implemented, e.g., using a computer processing device in
communication with offices 710 and 705. According to an exemplary
embodiment, the neural network analyzer 900 is capable of learning
and adjusting as the network topology changes (e.g., adding
components to the network, such as routers, switches, etc.) and as
the costs of transport changes. A reallocation application and
inventory database 902 may be in communication with the neural
network analyzer 900. The reallocation application 902 handles the
movement of content from one location to another (e.g., from
serving office 705A to serving office 705B) in response to input
from the neural network analyzer 900. The inventory database
maintains the location of content on the network such that the IPTV
network knows where to locate the content when needed.
[0139] The neural network analyzer 900 may determine an optimum
storage position for content so that the customer can access
content quickly (which promotes storage near the client) while
still reducing total storage consumed by the content (which
promotes storage at the VHE). The neural network analyzer 900 may
balance these competing interests to determine optimum placement of
content.
[0140] In addition, the content may be stored in a tiered fashion
(e.g., where high-demand content is pushed into a storage location
closer to the receiving devices, while low-demand content is
allocated to a remote storage location). The anticipated demand
described above is one of many decision criteria that may be used
in establishing and utilizing tiered storage. It will be understood
that multiple levels or tiers of storage throughout the network may
be determined as desired.
[0141] As indicated above, the neural network analyzer 900 may
consider a variety of factors in determining where to store
content. Popularity of the content may be one factor. Time of day
when the content is typically requested may be another factor. The
cost to deliver the content in terms of network cost and the cost
of storage space at different locations may be additional factors.
The neural network analyzer 900 adapts to changing conditions on
the IPTV network to alter storage locations for content. This may
be implemented, e.g., via a learning algorithm. The reallocation
application 902 directs the movement of content across the network
and the inventory database is updated to reflect where content is
stored.
[0142] The neural network analyzer 900 may react to current network
conditions and predicted demand for content. Some of this
information may be obtained, e.g., from activities conducted via
the network visualization services 116 described above. Statistical
data relating to who, what, where, and when content is accessed by
content receiving devices (e.g., communications devices 114), or
other network nodes, e.g., set top boxes, residential gateways,
remote terminal devices, serving/head end offices, content
providers, etc., may be collected via the neural network analyzer
900. The data is aggregated such that a service provider receives
non-customer specific information in order to protect privacy
interests. The network analyzer 900, in conjunction with the
reallocation application 902, provides a deterministic calculation
(and continual re-calculation) of where to strategically place
content in order to minimize impact to the network while maximizing
service delivery.
[0143] Certain content determined to be popular during specified
seasons may be allocated accordingly due to seasonal demand. For
example, the Ten Commandments is popular around Easter, and the
neural network services 118 may distribute this film closer to the
clients (e.g., IPTV client device 702) to reduce the effect on
total network resources. In other words, moving content from the
head end 710 to the serving office 705A and/or 705B in anticipation
of high demand will conserve transport resources of the IPTV
network. Once the anticipated demand is returned to normal levels,
the re-allocated content may be returned to its original storage
location.
[0144] As described above, the exemplary embodiments can be in the
form of computer-implemented processes and apparatuses for
practicing those processes. The exemplary embodiments can also be
in the form of computer program code containing instructions
embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD ROMs, hard
drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium, wherein,
when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a
computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the
exemplary embodiments. The exemplary embodiments can also be in the
form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a
storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or
transmitted over some transmission medium, loaded into and/or
executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission
medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber
optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the
computer program code is loaded into an executed by a computer, the
computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the exemplary
embodiments. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor,
the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to
create specific logic circuits.
[0145] While the invention has been described with reference to
exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiments disclosed for carrying out this invention,
but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within
the scope of the claims. Moreover, the use of the terms first,
second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the
terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from
another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not
denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of
at least one of the referenced item.
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